MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Svetlana Iskhakov -
Co-Owner/Dance Instructor
Svetlana Iskhakov — Founder, Co-Owner, and Lead Instructor at the Columbus Dance Centre — is recognized as one of the top professional Dancesport dancers in the United States.
Her impressive accomplishments include:
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Representing the United States at the World Professional 10-Dance Championships in Japan (June 22, 2003)
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3rd Place Finalist at the 2003 U.S. Professional 10-Dance Championships
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Quarter-Finalist in the 2002 Blackpool Dance Festival Professional Rising Stars Latin division
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Champion of the 1999 Ohio Star Ball Professional Rising Star Latin-American division
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Open Professional Northcoast and Cincinnati Dancesport Champion, among other prestigious titles
Svetlana is a member of the NDCA and an ISDT Certified Instructor.
In addition to her competitive success, Svetlana has a strong academic foundation in dance. She earned her BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University, building on her earlier studies at the University of Culture in Moscow, Russia.
Svetlana travels extensively throughout the country, coaching, performing, and judging. She has served as Head Coach for the Ohio State University and Kenyon College Ballroom Teams and is frequently invited to adjudicate and perform at collegiate competitions nationwide.
Her work and accomplishments have been featured in publications such as the Columbus Dispatch, New York Times, This Week, Columbus Alive, and Gahanna News.
Sergei Bakalov -
Co-Owner/Dance Instructor
Sergei Bakalov — Co-Owner, Dance and Fitness Instructor at the Columbus Dance Centre — brings over two decades of diverse experience in dance, fitness, and health education.
Sergei began his dance journey at the age of 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, specializing in Hip Hop and Break Dance. Years of dancing, competing, and teaching in these styles eventually led him to discover his passion for Ballroom and Latin-American dancing after moving to Columbus, Ohio in 2001.
In addition to his dance career, Sergei has a strong academic foundation in fitness and health. A 1998 graduate of the Wingate Institute for Physical Education & Sport (Israel), he brings over 25 years of experience in powerlifting and bodybuilding and more than 20 years of experience as a Personal Fitness Trainer in both Israel and the United States.
Since 2001, Sergei has worked as a Dance Instructor, Healthy Lifestyle Consultant, and Personal Trainer in the U.S., combining his expertise in physical fitness with the art of movement.
As a lead dance instructor at Columbus Dance Centre, Sergei is dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized instruction in a wide range of dance styles, including Ballroom, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm, Wedding Dances, and Social Ballroom Dance — for adults and children, couples and singles alike.
His work and achievements have been featured in publications such as the Columbus Dispatch, New York Times, This Week, Columbus Alive, and Gahanna News.
Andrey Bakalov -
Piano & Dance Instructor
Andrey Bakalov has been studying piano under the guidance of Nina Polonsky since 2020 and has since achieved remarkable success in numerous competitions. His accomplishments include First Place at the 2024 Venetia Hall Concerto Competition and 2023 & 2025 CMTA Achievement Awards, Second Place at the 2024 American Virtuoso Competition and 2024 CMTA Achievement Awards, as well as Alternate Positions at the 2023 Buckeye State Finals and 2024 Ohio MTNA Competition.
In 2022, after earning Honorable Mention at the Piano Star Grand Finals, Andrey was invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Most recently, he received the Platinum Award at the AADGT International Young Gifted Musicians Competition “Passion of Music” Japan 2025, earning an invitation to perform at Suntory Hall in Tokyo.
Andrey has also participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists, including Alexander Kobrin and Marina Lomazov, further deepening his artistry and technical skill.
Beyond piano, Andrey is also an accomplished competitive ballroom dancer, partnering with Svetlana Iskhakov to win Pro/Am Ballroom Competitions at both local and national levels. He is a five-time Ohio Star Ball World Pro/Am DanceSport Series Teen Ballroom Champion.